This day in history

1722: Peter I signs an edict instituting succession-to-the-throne procedures, whereby every successor is to be determined by the Russian tsar.

1793: In Vienna, the Austrian emperor’s chancellery issues a decree authorizing the landlords to mete out corporeal punishment to their peasants.

1918: A declaration restoring the Lithuanian state is adopted in Vilnius, currently observed as the annual national Day of Restoration of Lithuanian Statehood.

1918: The Legislative Council of the Kuban proclaims an independent Kuban People’s Republic.

1929: The first Week of Ukrainian Literature is launched in Moscow.

1943: Soviet Alpine-trained commando men climbing to the top of Mt. Elbrus (an unprecedented event) to destroy the Nazi flags and unfurl the Soviet banner.

1994: Ukraine and Kazakhstan sign a communique in Almaty on broader contacts between the war departments.